Bantry

Bantry

Overlooking Bantry Bay in the heart of West Cork, Bantry town is situated just over 55 miles west of Cork City. It functions as a large Market town providing commercial, retail and tourism/leisure facilities for locals and visitors alike.

Bantry is an important tourism location and is a designated outdoor activity hub in West Cork with a wide variety of activities available all year round. Water sports, Horse riding, Angling and Cycling are some of the outdoor activities available in the area.

With a fine raised plaza in its main square overlooking the harbour the town has a variety of small shops and businesses, restaurants and bars to choose from and is an ideal holiday location with plenty to offer all visitors. The majestic Bantry House overlooks the harbour with its beautiful gardens reaching down towards the shore where one can enjoy the spectacular views of the Caha Mountains across the bay.

As one of the larger towns in West Cork with a population of about 4000 people and a catchment area of about 12000 people, it is a busy community with plenty going on all year round.

Bantry is also host to the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, Masters of Tradition festival, West Cork Literary festival, Bay Run Half Marathon, National Windsurfing Championships,The Fastnet International Rally and Bantry Show(the largest in Munster).

Just 90 minutes from Cork and Kerry international airports, Bantry is just a stones throw away and is an ideal location for your holiday in West Cork.

Outdoors

Barley Cove

The nearest long stretch of Beach is Barley Cove that is 40-minute drive from Bantry. However, there is no shortage of small-secluded sandy beaches in the Bay region where families can enjoy themselves in almost complete privacy. Beach The nearest long stretch of Beach is Barley Cove that is 40-minute drive from Bantry. However, there is no shortage of small-secluded sandy beaches in the Bay region where families can enjoy themselves in almost complete privacy.

Healy Pass

Bantry House & Gardens

Bantry House & Gardens 027-50047 Bantry House is a stately home overlooking Bantry Bay in the south west of Ireland. It is owned by Egerton & Brigitte Shelswell-White and their children Bantry House is just 10 minute walk from Westlodge.Bantry House & Gardens 027-50047 Bantry House is a stately home overlooking Bantry Bay in the south west of Ireland. It is owned by Egerton & Brigitte Shelswell-White and their children Bantry House is just 10 minute walk from Westlodge.

Future Forest Garden Centre

027-66176 Future Forests, a nursery and garden centre in West Cork, They stock a huge variety of trees, shrubs, hedging, roses, climbers, and perennials, fruit trees - native and exotic. Prices are very reasonable, visitors welcome and plants are available by mail Order to Ireland and the UK

The Bamboo Park Glengarriff

027-63007/ 027-63975 The unique exotic garden in one of the most attractive areas of Ireland. Situated in the mild climate of Glengarriff in the southwest. Thirty different species of bamboo surrounded by palms and other tropical plants

West Cork Garden Trail

A group of very different gardens large and small open for viewing in the beautiful surroundings of West Cork. Garden owners in many of the gardens make themselves available to talk about their garden.

Golf

Golf 027-50579 Bantry Bay Golf Club is 2km from Bantry on the N71 to Glengarriff. Designed by Christy O’Connor Jnr. Regarded as challenging and one of the most scenic in the country. Special Green fee rates available at Westlodge Reception and guaranteed tee off times. There are 3 more 18-hole courses within a 20-mile radius and 9-hole golf course at Glengarriff and Castletownbere.

Bere Island

Ferry Service 027-75009 or 086- 2423140 Bere Island is located 2 miles off the South-West coast of Ireland in Bantry Bay, County Cork. To the North there is the rugged and beautiful Beara Peninsula, while to the east and south lies the vast bay, which has played host to some of the world's largest ships. The island faces the open Atlantic to the south and southwest offering spectacular views in all directions. The licensed car/passenger ferry "Ikom K" operates between 6 the "Pontoon" pier near Castletownbere on the Beara Peninsula on the mainland and Lawrence Cove on the island where Rerrin village is located with a Shop, Post Office, Pub, Café/Restaurant, 2 hostels, Marina and Craft Shop.

Cape Clear

Ferry Service from Baltimore- 087-2680760 / 087-2824008 / 028-39153 or 028-39159/086-3465110. Ferry Service from Schull- 028-28278 or 0862379302 CAPE CLEAR, Ireland's southernmost inhabited Gaeltacht island, 3 miles long by 1 mile wide, lies 8 miles off the coast of West Cork. 3 miles west of the island stands the solitary Fastnet Rock. To the northwest stretches the Mizen Head, the mainland's southerly point. Cape Clear's wild romantic scenery, its sparkling harbours, its cliffs and bogs and lake, all contribute to the island's unspoilt charm. Heather, gorse and wild flowers cover the rugged hills. Myriad stonewalls have a patchwork effect on the varied landscape. Most of the 150 inhabitants speak Irish and English. Removed from the hustle and bustle of mainland life, Cape Clear offers relaxation, nature, and peace.

Ilnacullen - Garnish Island

027-63040 Perhaps the most magical setting a garden could have is to be on an island bathed in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. This small island of 15 hectares is known to horticulturists all over the world as an island garden of rare beauty. Its centrepiece is an outstanding Italian-style garden designed by Harold Peto, linked by other formal features such as a double-sided herbaceous border and surrounded by a wild garden blending into the wider setting of the exceptional sea and mountain scenery around Glengarriff.

Sherkin Island

Ferry Service 087-9117377 Sherkin Island is one of Ireland's unique offshore islands. After a pleasant 10 minute ferry ride from the village of Baltimore in West Cork, you will find yourself in a totally unspoilt setting offering ideal surroundings for a pleasant walk and some safe sandy beaches for swimming. It has an abundance of flora and fauna that attract many nature lovers and birdwatcher

Whiddy Island

Whiddy Island lies in beautiful Bantry Bay, just a short ferry crossing from Bantry town making it a popular spot for day trippers. The island's climate, like other parts of South West Cork, is influenced by the Gulf Stream creating a unique ecology and wealth of wildlife. Beautiful red and purple fuchsia is abundant on the island throughout the summer and autumn and the common Butterwort is also found here - one of the few ‘insect eating’ plants found in Ireland. It's easy to spend a quiet afternoon rambling Whiddy's fields or birdwatching at the island's two lakes. Ferry Service available from Bantry Pier. Contact 086-8626734

Bantry Market

Bantry Market day is every Friday. Meet the locals and enjoy the atmosphere of a real market town. Organic foods and all kinds of 5 everything. Bantry has a great selection of Craft Shops and fashion shops including Quill’s Fashion Store. Finally, when in West Cork, check the other local farmers' market. Over recent years, these markets have been developed in the various West Cork towns and offer a variety of fresh produce, direct from the farms - no air miles involved, simply local producers supplying local customers with the best they can offer.

Beara Outdoor Adventures

Customised Guided Tours Offers custom made outdoor activities. Pick one or choose combination of adventures. An experienced guide will exclusively lead you /your family through a fantastic day out. Tel 087 6678618

Glengarriff Nature Reserve

The name Glengarriff is derived from the Irish Gleann Gairbh which translates as the rough or rugged glen. The setting of Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve is spectacular, with the woods nestled in the sheltered glen opening out into Glengarriff Harbour. Above the woods rise the Caha Mountains, with their dramatic layers of sheer rock. Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve covers some 300ha, with the dominant habitats being old oak woodland and young woodland which is regenerating in areas which have been cleared of non-native conifers over the last few years. The woods form one of the best examples of oceanic sessile oak woodland in Ireland, being rated second only in importance to the Killarney Oakwoods.

Sheep’s Head Way

Choose from Long or Short Loop Guided Tours Available 027-61052
Short Loop : Drive as far as you can on the peninsula until you reach the Turning Point Car Park – this is your start and finish point. A well-signposted footpath then leads you past rocky outcrops and Lough Akeen to reach the lighthouse at the tip of the headland. The path continues along the northern side of the peninsula, crossing some rough ground underfoot. Care is needed here as sheer cliffs and steep coastal crags dominate this section of the headland. Soon after you have rounded the cliffs, the short loop diverts across the headland and returns to Turning Point Car Park. 3 Time - 2 hrs, Distance – 4km. Grade:Easy
Long Loop: The longer 16km loop walk starts and finishes around 4km west of Kilcrohane Village. This access point allows for a longer stretch along the north coast, passing dazzling inlets, coves, blow holes and sea arches along the way. Next, you’ll gently climb to the top of 239m-high Ballyroon Mountain, passing a ruined 17th century signal tower as you go. The summit provides spectacular views over both sides of the peninsula before you gently come down, completing the loop along 3km of narrow country lanes to return to the starting point. Time – 5-6 hrs, Distance – 16km. Grade: Moderate/Difficult

West Cork Sailing Centre

027-60132 Learn to sail, charter a yacht go kayaking or just have fun on the water. With an amazing fleet of boats for all abilities, a purpose built centre and a warm welcome. We have a large fleet of boats to suit all abilities. Different size Dinghies, Keelboats and Catamarans for the young beginners to the advanced sailor. All our courses are Irish Sailing Association or Royal Yachting Association certified.

The West Cork Model Railway Village

023-8833224 Walking into the model village you step back in time and see life as it was in the 1940's. See the old West Cork railway line portrayed in 2 delightful miniature serving the towns. The models and figurines are handmade at the model village to a scale of 1:24.